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Agency Poised for Mini Ripple Effect

Butler Shine Could Get Boost
From High-Profile Account
And Trend to Smaller Shops

By

Suzanne VranicaStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 30, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

Earlier this month, the phone rang at the offices of tiny ad agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners in Sausalito, Calif. The call came from one of the top ad gurus in the U.S., Rich Silverstein, who said simply: "What took you so long?"

Mr. Silverstein, co-chairman of Omnicom Group Inc.'s Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, was referring to Butler's recent win of the coveted BMW Mini ad account, an achievement that is likely to catapult the small boutique onto the national advertising stage.